Method and system for providing an object in virtual or semi-virtual space based on a user characteristic

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and computer program, for providing the virtual object in the virtual or semi-virtual environment, based on a characteristic associated with the user. In one example embodiment, the system comprises at least one computer processor, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one computer processor, perform a set of operations comprising determining the characteristic associated with the user in the virtual or semi-virtual environment with respect to a predetermined reference location in the environment, and providing a virtual object based on the characteristic.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/489,904, filed Apr. 25, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Publishing sites have been a key way to share and consume information onthe web. A handful of services exist that democratize web site creation.However, services do not exist to solve the problem of creating sitesthat realize the full potential of 3D content. With an increasing pushto create easy 3D content, there is a need for tools and/or services tofacilitate the consumption of the 3D content. For instance, movingwithin a virtual world through the use a virtual reality device is oftenchallenging. In some cases, users may not understand how to utilize orinteract with the virtual world. Further, automatically moving the userthrough the virtual world can be difficult to accomplish and may causediscomfort or motion sickness of the user.

One difference in a 2D versus 3D user experience is an immersion aspectthat the 3D user experience provides. 3D objects move, animate, andchange form in the virtual world, or in semi-virtual worlds such asaugmented reality and mixed reality worlds. Traditionally, a user wouldhave to carefully design all possible states and behaviors that can beassociated with a 3D object. However, most users do not have necessaryexpertise to design correct 3D object views and/or interfaces and tooperate them. Additionally, users often do not have the ability orexpertise to enable them to operate objects, such as user interfaces, insuch worlds, particularly when the user is displaced from the applicableobject(s).

It is with respect to these and other general considerations thatembodiments have been described. Also, although relatively specificproblems have been discussed, it should be understood that theembodiments should not be limited to solving the specific problemsidentified in the background.

SUMMARY

The present application relates generally to virtual or semi-virtualsystems, and, in particular, to providing a virtual object in a virtualor semi-virtual environment, based on a characteristic associated with auser.

Example aspects herein include at least a method, system, and computerprogram, for providing the virtual object in the virtual or semi-virtualenvironment, based on the characteristic associated with the user. Inone example embodiment herein, the system comprises at least onecomputer processor, and a memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the at least one computer processor, perform a set ofoperations comprising determining a characteristic associated with auser in a virtual or semi-virtual environment with respect to apredetermined reference location in the environment, and providing avirtual object based on the characteristic.

In one example embodiment herein, the system further comprises a headmounted display (HMD), the at least one computer processor isoperatively connected to the HMD, and the providing includes presentingthe virtual object on a display of the HMD.

In another example aspect herein, the characteristic is a distance fromthe predetermined referenced location, and the providing includesproviding the virtual object in a first predetermined form correspondingto the distance. The virtual object may be a virtual representation ofan object at the predetermined reference location, and may include, forexample, a virtual user interface that enables the user to operate theobject at the predetermined location, regardless of the user's locationor distance from that location. In one example embodiment, the user'slocation may be at a locomotion marker at which the user's view can betransported to a view associated with the locomotion maker.

In a further example aspect herein, the distance is a first distance,and the set of operations further comprises determining a seconddistance of the user from the predetermined reference position, thesecond distance being greater than the first distance, and providing thevirtual object in a second predetermined form.

Providing the virtual object in the second predetermined form mayinclude determining prioritized features included in the virtual object,and including the prioritized features in an emphasized manner in thevirtual object in the second predetermined form.

According to an example aspect herein, the virtual or semi-virtualenvironment is one of a virtual reality environment, an augmentedreality environment, and a mixed reality environment, and the user isone of a virtual user and a non-virtual user. The virtual object may bea virtual representation of an object at the predetermined referencelocation. As but one example, the object at the predetermined referencelocation may be a media or content player, and the virtual object may bea virtual user interface that enables the user to operate the mediaplayer, regardless of the user's location. The virtual object may be,for example, a floating virtual user interface, in one example.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference tothe following Figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a head-mounted display.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example virtual or semi-virtual environment,wherein a virtual object is provided based on a characteristicassociated with a user, such as the user's location.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict example perspective views of a virtual object, apredetermined reference location, and fields of view and a line of sightof a user.

FIG. 4A depicts an example method for providing a virtual object basedon a characteristic associated with a user.

FIG. 4B depicts an example method for determining a priority of virtualobject features.

FIG. 5 depicts an example method for providing a virtual object based ona characteristic associated with a user, such as field of view of theuser.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating example physical components of acomputing device with which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are simplified block diagrams of a mobile computingdevice with which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced.

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of a distributed computing systemin which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced.

FIG. 9 illustrates a tablet computing device for executing one or moreaspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, references are made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown byway of illustrations specific embodiments or examples. These aspects maybe combined, other aspects may be utilized, and structural changes maybe made without departing from the present disclosure. Embodiments maybe practiced as methods, systems or devices. Accordingly, embodimentsmay take the form of a hardware implementation, an entirely softwareimplementation, or an implementation combining software and hardwareaspects. The following detailed description is therefore not to be takenin a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is definedby the appended claims and their equivalents.

The present technology relates to providing an object, such as a virtualobject, in a space, such as, for example, a 3D space, based on one ormore characteristics associated with a user. The 3D space may include,for example, a virtual reality (VR) 3D space, or a semi-virtual spacesuch as an augmented reality (AR) 3D space, a mixed reality (MR) 3Dspace, or the like. The virtual object, in one example, may be a 3Dvirtual object (although in other examples it can be a 2D virtualobject).

In more detail, the present technology involves providing, such asgenerating, manipulating, or controlling, a virtual object, such as avirtual user interface, sign, billboard, character, text, symbol, shape,or any other virtual object, based on one or more characteristicsassociated with the user. For example, the one or more characteristicsmay include, without limitation, the user's position, orientation,location, direction (line) of sight or gaze, field of view, distance orangle, or the like, with respect to a predetermined reference location.The predetermined reference location can be the virtual object itself,or a non-virtual or semi-virtual object that is represented by thevirtual object in the environment.

As non-limiting examples of the manner in which a virtual object isprovided according to the present technology, the virtual object, or acomponent of a virtual object, such as a user interface component, maybe provided to have a size, structure, and/or features that depend on auser's distance from a predetermined reference location. For example,the size may be increased as the user becomes more distant from thepredetermined reference location so that the user can perceive and/orinteract with the object, and maybe decreased in size (e.g., towards apredetermined standard size) as the user becomes closer to the referencelocation, while still enabling the user to perceive and/or interact withthe object. In aspects, the size and number of interface components ofthe virtual object may dynamically change depending upon the size of thedisplayed virtual object. In this manner, the user still can perceivethe object well despite his or her location, the object is maintained asrecognizable and/or usable to the user, and/or the user is able tointeract with the object, without necessarily having to relocate ortransport to the particular reference location.

Of course, the above example is merely illustrative in nature and notlimiting to the scope of the technology described herein. Indeed, inother examples, depending on applicable design criteria, the object canbe decreased in size as the user becomes more distant from thepredetermined reference location, and be made larger in size as the userbecomes closer to the predetermined reference location, if doing sowould be deemed useful to the user in a particular environment orapplication of interest.

In another example, providing the virtual object may include generating,manipulating, or controlling at least certain parts of the object basedon one or more characteristics associated with the user. For example,some parts of the object (e.g., text, icons, user-selectable items,buttons, lines, segments, particular information or data, boxes, etc.),can be increased or decreased in size along one or more directions, mademore or less pronounced or perceivable, moved, displaced, repositioned,blurred, animated, masked, faded, brightened, or otherwise modified,scaled, altered, highlighted, or adapted, relative to other parts of theobject. As such, those parts of the object that may be deemed importantto a user can still be perceived and/or interacted with by the user,despite the user's location or distance from the predetermined referencelocation. The providing of the object may be effected in a dynamicmanner in real time as the characteristic(s) of the user vary, or atpredetermined time intervals, predetermined space intervals, and/or atpredetermined variations in the user characteristic(s). As an exampleinvolving predetermined variations in user characteristics, controllingor manipulating of the object can occur to a predetermined degree inresponse to a user, a user's body part, or line of sight, displaced by apredetermined linear or angular displacement with respect to aparticular reference location. In other example embodiments herein,providing may be effected when the user is located at locomotion markersin the applicable environment, and may be performed in a manner thatdepends on the locations of those markers, and/or their respectivedistances from a predetermined reference location.

Before describing the manner in which virtual objects are provided inmore detail, it is noted that example aspects herein may involve a useror operator wearing a head-mounted display (HMD) that provides, forexample, a view for the user in a virtual or semi-virtual world orenvironment. While the user is viewing an environment through the HMD,the user may wish to interact with objects in the environment. Tofacilitate such interaction, the present technology may provide fordisplaying locomotion markers that may be selected by the user. Forexample, once the user selects the locomotion marker, the user's viewcan be transported to a view associated with the locomotion maker. As anexample, a particular locomotion marker may be selected to view aparticular object in the virtual or semi-virtual environment from aparticular position and a particular orientation. One or more locomotionmarkers may also be associated with content. In some examples, when 3Dcontent within the environment is created or modified, a locomotionmarker may be associated with the 3D content that places a user in anoptimal or preferred position and orientation to view the 3D object. Insuch examples, when the user's gaze focuses on or near the 3D object, alocomotion marker may be displayed that is properly oriented to view theobject. The displayed locomotion marker may be selected to teleport theuser to the optimal position and orientation in order to view the 3Dobject within the environment.

The locomotion marker may be selected through a hand-held control unit,though a smart phone, through other controls operatively connected tothe HMD, or based on a particular gaze or view of the user. Thelocomotion marker may also be selected by any means known to thosehaving skill in the art.

As will be appreciated by those having skill in the art, in a virtual orsemi-virtual world, the user's view corresponds to the positioning andorientation of a virtual camera in the virtual or semi-virtualenvironment. Changes to the positioning and orientation of the virtualcamera in the environment cause the view of the environment experiencedby the user to change. When an HMD is utilized as the viewing device forthe user to see the environment, the orientation of the virtual camerais generally tied to the orientation of the head of the user wearing theHMD.

The orientation of the user's view or gaze within the virtual world isbased on the orientation virtual camera in the virtual world. Thevirtual camera is controlled by the positioning of the HMD in the realworld. The orientation of the virtual camera may be made with referenceto a global coordinate system of the virtual world. For example, thevirtual world may utilize a 3D Cartesian coordinate system having apre-defined origin. The virtual camera may be considered an objectwithin the virtual world, and its orientation may be defined by itsEuler angles with respect to the global coordinate system. Those havingskill in the art will also appreciate that different techniques forcontrolling or representing rotation of a virtual object, such as theuse of rotation matrices, quaternions, or other techniques, may beutilized with the technology utilized herein.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which depicts an example of ahead-mounted display system (“HMD”) 110 having a display source 102,which can be used in conjunction with the technology described herein.The HMD 110 may be worn by a user 106 to provide content to the user 106through the display source 102, such as virtual reality content, mixedreality content, or augmented reality content. In the example ofproviding augmented reality content, the front surface of HMD 110 mayincorporate one or more cameras to allow an augmented video stream to bepresented to the user 106 through the display source 102, which may bereferred to as video augmented reality. The HMD 110 may also includeintegrated computing components to provide content as a stand-alonesystem. The HMD 110 may also include wireless or wired connectivityfeatures to receive content from other computing devices, such as mobilephones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and the like. The display source 102may be affixed towards the front of the HMD 110 using any means known tothose having skill in the art. In some examples, the HMD 110 includesmultiple display sources 102. For instance, the HMD 110 may include adisplay source 102 for each eye. In other examples, the display source102 may be a smartphone or other similar device. The display source 102may also include, or be displaced proximate to, lenses that allow forthe user to more clearly see the images displayed on the display source.Other example HMD's know to those of skill in the art may be suitablefor use with the present technology. The HMD 110 also can have acapability for determining characteristics associated with a user, suchas the user's position, location, or orientation with respect to apredetermined reference location or virtual object. Any suitabletechnique can be employed for making such determinations, including, asone example, triangulation, and/or techniques based on roll, pitch, andyaw angles of a camera of the HMD 110, or the like.

An example embodiment of the present application will now be described.FIG. 2 depicts an example virtual or semi-virtual environment 200, whichcan be, for example, a 3D space. A user 202 is shown in the environment.The user 202 may be, for example, a human, a virtual representation of auser such as an avatar, a semi-virtual representation of a human, or thelike. Alternatively, the user 202 may be represented by a viewing orcamera position. To help the user 202 navigate the environment 200, oneor more virtual objects are provided.

Virtual object 212 is represented in FIG. 2. In one example, the object212 can be a virtual representation of a reference location 210. Byexample only, the reference location 210 may be a media or content(e.g., music or video) player having a user interface, and object 212 isa virtual representation of the user interface. Other application userinterfaces may be represented in virtual or augmented reality including,but not limited to, a web browser, a productivity user interface (e.g.,document, spreadsheet, presentations), a file browser, etc. The virtualobject 212 and the reference location 210 can be visible and/orpresented on display source 102 of HMD 110. In one example aspectdescribed herein, the object 212 may be a floating, or otherwisepositioned, user interface that is user-operable. In one example inwhich the object 212 is a user interface, that interface is operable toenable the user to operate and interact with the media or content playerand/or reference location 210. Also, in one example herein, the object212 may be situated at the reference location 210, or be in associationwith it, or be at another location remote therefrom.

In the illustrated example, virtual object 212 enables the user 202 toselect from a menu listing, for example, artists and music tracks, toplay a particular music track, and to scroll through tracks and artistsusing the menu. The user 202 may operate the user interface by anyknown, suitable means, such as by using a pointer, eye movement, a handselection, mouse, or the like. Of course, this example is by way ofillustration only, and other types of user interfaces, and other typesof virtual objects besides user interfaces, can be employed instead.

In the example of FIG. 2, when the user 202 is a particular distanceaway from reference location 210, such as 1.5 m away (e.g., such as at alocomotion marker), the object 212 is provided. The object 212 hasparticular predefined features arranged in a predefined structure, and apredetermined shape and size. The object 212 may include various typesof features, such as, for example, text (e.g., artist and track names)204, user-selectable items 208, information features 205, and/or otherfeatures, all structured as shown in the FIG. 2 example. While object212 is described herein as a media player, one of skill in the art willappreciate that any type of virtual object may be employed with theaspects disclosed herein. The type of user interface elements or controldisplayed for object 212 can vary depending on a type of virtual objector content. As such, the specific user interface elements describedherein should not be considered as limiting. In the illustrated example,items 208 include a “play” button 234, a “backward select” button 232,and a “forward select” button 233. Lines 216 and spaces 206 also areshown as being included in the object 212, 212′. In other examples, theitems 208 also can include a volume control and/or an “on/off” controlnot shown). Object 212 is further represented in larger, duplicate formas object 212′.

As the user 202 displaces farther away from the reference location 210,such as at a distance somewhere between 1.5 m and 10 m (e.g., at alocomotion marker intermediate those distances), the object 212′ changes(as represented by 213) to another form, and is provided as object 214.While specific physical or virtual distances are described herein, oneof skill in the art will appreciate that these distances are providedfor illustration purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.In other aspects, the dynamic changes described herein may be dependentupon different distances or other factors such as, for example, viewingangle. The object 212′ may change form into object 214 (e.g., virtualuser interface) either dynamically, by changing continuously as the user202 displaces away from the reference location 210, or by changing onlyin response to the user 202 becoming displaced away from the referencelocation 210 by a predetermined linear (or non-linear) displacement, orin response to the user 202 reaching a particular location (e.g.,locomotion marker) at the applicable distance. The elements displayed inobject 213 may vary depending on the type of virtual object, a contenttype, and/or user preferences that may be statically defined ordynamically determined. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the size of the items208 within object 214 is larger than those within object 212′. Inaddition, the portion of object 214 above the items 208 may be formed asa result of expanding the corresponding portion of object 212 (212′) inthe directions 215 shown in association with object 214, such that thefeatures 205 of former object 212′ are expanded into expanded features205′ and 222 of object 214, and such that at least some features 205remain in object 214 but in larger form relative to those in object212′. Also, features 216 (e.g., segmentation lines) of object 212′ arenot included in object 214, which instead includes features (e.g.,segmentation lines) 217.

Also in the illustrated example, when the user 202 is displaced by adistance of, for example, 10 m away from the reference location 210, thevirtual object 214 changes form (as represented by 218) into object 216(e.g., a virtual user interface), which is further represented as object216′. The object 214 can change form into object 216 (216′) (e.g.,virtual user interface) either dynamically, by changing continuously asthe user 202 displaces away from the reference location 210, or bychanging only in response to the user 202 becoming displaced away fromthe reference location 210 by a predetermined linear (or non-linear)displacement (e.g., 10 m), or in response to the user 202 reaching aparticular locomotion marker at that distance. The object 216 (andobject 216′) results from an expansion of parts of object 214 indirections 230 shown in association with object 216′. The resultingobject 216, 216′ still includes feature 205′, and also includes afeature 220 which is an expanded version of feature 222 of object 214.Features 205 from object 214 are not included in object 216, 216′, andthe user-selectable items 208 are shown scaled larger in size and ingreater detail relative to those of object 214. In the illustratedexample, the object 216 still remains at the location 210.

Of course, the objects 212, 212′, 214, 216, and 216′ may have otherfeatures, size, structures, and shapes than those depicted in FIG. 2,which is merely a representative example. Also, the object(s) may haveadditional intermediate forms depending on the user 202's distance fromthe location 210. Also, objects 214 and 216′ are not necessarilyincluded in the actual environment 200, and are represented in FIG. 2merely for depicting how the manner in which objects are alteredaccording to the present example embodiment.

By virtue of the manner in which the objects are provided in the exampleof FIG. 2, the farther the user 202 displaces from reference location210, the larger at least some parts of the virtual object become toenable the user 202 to continue perceiving and/or interacting with theobject in a suitable manner. In the example described above, thosefeatures include features 208 to enable the user to operate the userinterface for selecting artists and/or music tracks. Regardless of theuser 202's distance from the virtual object and/or predeterminedreference location 210, the user 202 can still perceive and/or interactwith those parts of the object that are deemed important to the user202, such as track and artist information.

FIG. 4A depicts an example method 400 for providing a virtual objectdepending on a characteristic associated with a user. The methodcommences at 401 and flow proceeds to operation 402 where one or morecharacteristics associated with the user are monitored. For example, thecharacteristics may include at least one of a position, location,distance, or orientation of a user, and/or a user's gaze, line of sight,and/or field of view, relative to a predetermined reference location.The particular characteristic(s) that are monitored at operation 402 maydepend on applicable design criteria, and, in one example, themonitoring may be continuous, or performed only when the user isdetermined to be located at a particular location (e.g., locomotionmarker). In embodiments where, for example, the user may be located atcertain, known locations in the environment at a particular distanceaway from the predetermined reference location, such as in the casewhere locomotion markers are employed, then operation 402 may includerecognizing that the user is that the particular distance away from thereference location (i.e., without necessarily performing measuring).

In one example embodiment herein, operation 402 measures or otherwisedetermines a value of the characteristic(s) being monitored. Forconvenience, the method is described herein in the context of the FIG. 2example, and therefore operation 302 in this example includes monitoringor determining a distance of a user (e.g., user 202) from apredetermined reference location, such as location 210. In one example,performance of operation 302 may result in a determination that the useris a certain distance (e.g., 1.5 m or 10 m) away from the referencelocation 210.

In the case of the FIG. 2 example where the user 202 is determined inoperation 402 to be a certain distance (1.5 m in the provided example)away from the reference location 210, then the virtual object 212 isprovided in operation 404 for being presented in the environment(operation 406). In a case where operation 402 determines that the user202 is at some location (e.g., a locomotion marker), or within aparticular range of points, somewhere between 1.5 m and 10 m, in theprovided example, away from the reference location 210, then the virtualobject 214 is provided in operation 404 for presentation in theenvironment (operation 406). On the other hand, in a case whereoperation 402 determines that the user 202 is 10 m away from thereference location 210, then the virtual object 216 is provided inoperation 404 for presentation in the environment (operation 406). Ineither case, after operation 406 is performed, control passes back tooperation 402 which is performed in the above-described manner. In oneaspect, presenting the virtual object in the example may compriserendering a new virtual object. Alternatively, presenting the virtualobject may comprise modifying a previously presented virtual object toinclude new elements. Animations may be provided during the modificationthat result in a smooth transformation of a virtual object from a firstform to a second form.

Of course, although described above in the context of providing avirtual object based on a distance between the user 202 and thepredetermined reference location, in other example embodiments hereinthe providing can be based on one or more additional characteristicsbesides distance, or the providing can be based on one or more othercharacteristics in lieu of distance. At least one such characteristicmay include, without limitation, the user's orientation. Also, in otherembodiments, operation 402 can include detecting any variation in theone or more characteristics relative to the reference location, or, inanother example, detecting a predetermined variation in the one or morecharacteristics relative to the reference location. For example, in thecase of the FIG. 2 example, operation 402 may include detecting that adistance or orientation of user 202 relative to the predeterminedreference location has varied as a result of movement of the user 202,and also detecting whether the variation indicates that the distance ororientation has increased or decreased in some respect, by any value,and/or at least by a predetermined value. In either case, the object isprovided in operation 404 based on a result of the detecting, preferablysuch that the object can still be perceived and/or interacted with bythe user.

According to an example aspect herein, the manner in which the virtualobject is provided may take into account which features are deemed mostimportant, interesting, or useful to a user, and also can vary dependingon, for example, the user's location, orientation, position, or distancerelative to the predetermined reference location. By example, thevirtual object can be presented in a manner to include such features,while reducing or minimizing emphasis on features of the object that aredeemed less important, interesting, or useful to the user. Whichfeatures are deemed important, interesting, and useful can be setaccording to pre-programming or can be based on a predetermined priorityorder, or can be based on user-specified preferences. In one exampleaspect described herein, the priority order is determined based on ahistory of user interactions with the object. For example, a record canbe stored of the types and numbers of interactions the user has had withthe object. In the example of the media interface discussed above inconnection with FIG. 2, it may occur that the user selects the items 208most among any other selectable features of the interface andinformation can be stored to indicate that those features 208 aretherefore prioritized in that they are deemed important, interesting, oruseful to the user.

A method for determining a priority of features according to an exampleaspect herein will now be described. The method may be performed as partof the operations 404 and/or 406. Referring to FIG. 4B in conjunctionwith FIG. 2, in response to a user selecting a feature (e.g., “play”button 234) of the virtual object (operation 420), such as virtualobject 212 of FIG. 2, a counter corresponding to that feature isincreased by a value of ‘1’ in operation 422, and a record of theselection of the feature and of the counter is stored in operation 424.Then, based on stored records for all of the object features (e.g.,records stored in response to all prior selections made in operation 420of any features, or only those selections made over a predetermined timeperiod), in operation 426 an order may be determined indicating thefeatures most selected by the user, to features least selected by theuser. Then, in operation 428 a predetermined number of those features,such as, e.g., the top three (or another predetermined number) areidentified for being presented in the virtual object regardless of wherethe user is located in the environment. For the example of FIG. 2, itmay occur that performance of operations 420-428 results in items 208(among other possible features) being identified in operation 428. Assuch, those items 208 are deemed important, interesting, or useful tothe user, and thus will be included in the virtual object provided (inoperations 404 and 406, respectively, of FIG. 4A) in the environment,regardless of the distance of the user from the predetermined referencelocation 210.

Another example aspect of the present technology will now be described.In this example aspect, a virtual object can be presented in a mannerthat depends on a characteristic associated with a user, such as a fieldof view of the user. The field of view can be predefined as having oneor more specific ranges. In an illustrative example, the field of viewis predefined as including at least one of a predetermined “far field ofview” and/or a predetermined “near field of view”, as represented inFIGS. 3A-3C, which show a user 302 gazing in respective differentdirections. FIGS. 3A-3C also show near field of view 308, far field ofview 306, and a line of sight 310, of user 302. Of course, thisrepresentation is not intended to be limiting to the scope of thetechnology described herein, and one or more other predetermined rangesor fields of view can be employed instead. Moreover, the terms “farperipheral field of view” and “near peripheral field of view” are notnecessarily intended to be interpreted as those terms may be known inthe art.

In an example herein, virtual object 304 can be presented in a mannerdepending on whether or not it (or a predetermined reference location312, in another example embodiment), appears within the user's field ofview, and depending on which field of view it appears in. For example,in a case where it is determined that the virtual object 304 intersectswith or is within the far peripheral field of view 306, but does notintersect with any part of the near peripheral field of view 308, asrepresented in FIG. 3A, then the virtual object 304 can be provided in apredetermined form that is intended to gain the user's attention. As anexample, the virtual object may blink, be presented in a predeterminedbright color and/or in association with a halo 310, be presented asanimated or moving (e.g., jumping), be presented as a virtual robot orother character, or be highlighted in some predetermined manner thatattracts the user's attention, depending on applicable design criteria.

On the other hand, and referring to FIG. 3B, if the virtual object 304is determined to intersect with or be within the user's near peripheralfield of view 308, then the virtual object 304 can be provided either inthe same form as that employed for the far peripheral field of view, orin another form, such as with or without highlighting, depending onapplicable design criteria. For example, the virtual object 304 can behighlighted in a predetermined form that differs from that of the objectwhen in the far field of view 306. In one example embodiment wherein theobject 304 is moved to attract the user's attention while in the farperipheral field of view 306, the object 304 can be presented as beingstationary while in the near peripheral field of view 308.

In a case where virtual object 304 is determined to not intersect withany field of view of the user 302, as represented in FIG. 3C, then theobject 304 can be provided in still another form (e.g., anon-highlighted or faded form), or it can be omitted entirely from theenvironment, depending on applicable design criteria. In yet anotherexample embodiment herein, in a case where the virtual object 304 isdetermined to be in a direct line of sight 310 of the user 302, asrepresented in FIG. 3B, then the virtual object 304 also can be providedeither in the same form as that for either of the above field of views304, 306, or in another form, such as with or without highlighting,depending on applicable design criteria.

An example flow diagram of a method for generating and presenting avirtual object based on a view of the user will now be described, withreference to FIG. 5, in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3C. At 502 the methodcommences and proceeds to operation 504, where monitoring is performedto determine whether a virtual object, such as object 304, intersectsany part of a user's near peripheral field of view, such as view 308. Ifthis operation results in a determination of “yes”, then control passesto operation 506 where it is determined whether the virtual object 304intersects with the user's line of sight 310. If the object 304 doesintersect with the line of sight 310 (“yes” in operation 506), then inoperation 508 the virtual object 304 is presented in a firstpredetermined form (e.g., in highlighted form, moving in a particularmanner, or not). Flow then passes back to operation 504 where continuedmonitoring is performed.

If “no” in operation 506, which would be the case where the virtualobject 304 is within the near peripheral field of view 308 of the user302 but not in the user's direct line of sight 310, then control passesto operation 510, where the virtual object 304 is provided in a secondpredetermined form. Flow then passes back to operation 504 wherecontinued monitoring is performed.

Referring again to operation 504, in a case where that operationdetermines that the virtual object 304 does not intersect with the nearperipheral field of view 308, it is then determined in operation 512whether the virtual object 304 intersects with the user's far peripheralfield of view 306. If “yes” in operation 512, then in operation 514 thevirtual object is presented in a third predetermined form. As an exampleof the third predetermined form, as described above, the object 304 canbe presented in manner so as to attract the user's attention (e.g., theobject can blink, be presented in a predetermined bright color and/orwith a halo 310, be presented as animated or moving (e.g., jumping), bepresented as a virtual robot or other character, or be highlighted insome predetermined manner). Flow then passes back to operation 504 wherecontinued monitoring is performed.

If operation 512 results in a determination of “No”, which would be thecase where the virtual object 304 does not intersect with any of theviews 306, 308 of the user 302, then operation 516 is performed,wherein, for example, the object 304 is presented in passive form. Forexample, the object 304 can be presented in a non-highlighted form, afaded form, or can be omitted entirely from the environment (or in anyother predetermined form). As such, the passive form is one that is notnecessarily for attracting the user's attention.

As described above, in another example embodiment, virtual object 304can be presented in a manner depending on whether or not predeterminedreference location 312, appears within the user's field of view, anddepending on which field of view it appears in. In that embodiment, thefunctionality described above is the same except that the operations fordetermining whether the virtual object 304 are included within orintersects with the fields of view 306, 308 and line of sight 310,instead are performed for determining whether the predeterminedreference location 312 is included within or intersects with the fieldsof view 306, 308 and line of sight 310, and then the virtual object 304(and/or predetermined reference location) is provided in a similarmanner as described above, based on the result. FIGS. 3a-3c representthe same situations as described above for virtual object 304, for thepredetermined reference location 312. For example, in FIG. 3A thelocation 312 intersects with field of view 306, in FIG. 3B the location312 is within the field of view 308 and line of sight 310, and in FIG.3C the location 312 is not in within any field of view or line of sight.For each scenario the virtual object 304 (and/or predetermined referencelocation 312) can be provided in the manner described above (seeoperations 508, 510, 514, 516), depending on the scenario.

According to one example embodiment herein, determinations of whetherthe virtual object, and/or predetermined reference location, is/arewithin a field of view or line of sight of the user, and characteristicsassociated with the user, such as, e.g., a user's distance from thelocation, may be based on identifying at least one of a pitch angle, yawangle, or roll angle value for the virtual camera controlled by theposition of the HMD. If directional vectors corresponding to the atleast one the pitch, yaw, or roll value would pass through theobject/location, the object/location may be determined to be in aparticular corresponding field of view or line of sight of the user. Insome examples, the size and/or range of the field of views may varybased upon the size of the virtual world, and/or the size or type of thevirtual object/location, among other possible options.

In view of the example aspects described herein, a responsive virtualobject such as a user interface may be provided having dimensions,representation, and functionality dictated by a viewer's distance fromthe object. The object may be adjust in fidelity according to an optimalset of commands based on, for example, a user's distance from apredetermined reference location. From the user's perspective, in oneexample, the closer the user becomes to the location, the moreinformation is presented in the object, versus the same information at ahigher resolution. Also, the user's gaze can be used as a trigger, suchas, for example, to cause the user interface to become operable or totake a predetermined form based on a characteristic such as the user'sdistance (and/or to transport the user to a locomotion marker). Theexample aspects described herein enable operators who do not havenecessary expertise to design correct 3D object views and/or interfacesand to operate them or otherwise interact with them, regardless of theirlevel of expertise.

Although the above description describes the methods of FIGS. 4A and 4Bseparately from the method of FIG. 5, in some embodiments the methodscan be performed together such that the virtual object may be providedbased on the presence of multiple characteristics such as the location,field of view, and line of sight of the user. For example, as describedabove the user's gaze can act as a trigger. In one example embodimentherein, virtual object 304 can be the same as the virtual object of FIG.2, and the predetermined reference locations 210 and 310 also may be thesame. In one example embodiment herein, the method 400 (FIG. 4A) canstart 401 in response to the virtual object or predetermined referencelocation intersecting or becoming within the user's near peripheralfield of view 308 or line of sight 310, as represented in FIG. 3B,although in other examples the method 400 can start 401 in response tothe virtual object or predetermined reference location intersecting withor coming within the far peripheral field of view 306, as represented inFIG. 3A. In one example, the object 304 can be a virtual representationof a reference location 312, the reference location 312 may be, forexample, a media or content player or other content provider, and theobject 304 can be a virtual user interface that enables the user tooperate the media or content provider. Each can be visible and/orpresented on display source 102 of HMD 110. Also, in some examples, theselection of a locomotion marker can trigger the start 401 of method400.

Also, although described in the context of providing a single virtualobject, the various aspects described herein is not so limited. Indeed,in other example aspects, more than one virtual object, and differenttypes of virtual objects (e.g., not only user interfaces) may beprovided based on one or more characteristics associated with a user,using technology described herein. Moreover, in addition to providing avirtual object based on one or more characteristics associated with theuser, in some example aspects other elements may be provided as well, inaddition to, or in lieu of, a virtual object. For example, lightingand/or sounds (e.g., music) in the virtual or non-virtual environmentmay be controlled based on the characteristic(s) associated with theuser. As an example, in a case where the user becomes more distant fromthe predetermined reference location, and/or depending on whether thepredetermined reference location or virtual object is within the user'sfield of view, lighting in the environment can be controlled so as to bemade more or less intense, depending on the location and applicabledesign criteria or user preferences. The volume of music also can beincreased or decreased depending on the same factor(s).

FIGS. 6-9 and the associated descriptions provide a discussion of avariety of operating environments in which aspects of the disclosure maybe practiced. However, the devices and systems illustrated and discussedwith respect to FIGS. 6-9 are for purposes of example and illustrationand are not limiting of a vast number of computing device configurationsthat may be utilized for practicing aspects of the disclosure, describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating physical components (e.g.,hardware) of a computing device 600 with which aspects of the disclosuremay be practiced. The computing device components described below may besuitable for the computing devices described above, such as smartphones, tablets, HMDs, laptops, desktops, or other computing devices. Ina basic configuration, the computing device 600 may include at least oneprocessing unit 602 and a system memory 604. Depending on theconfiguration and type of computing device, the system memory 604 maycomprise, but is not limited to, volatile storage (e.g., random accessmemory), non-volatile storage (e.g., read-only memory), flash memory, orany combination of such memories.

The system memory 604 may include an operating system 605 and one ormore program modules 606 suitable for running software application 620,such as one or more components supported by the systems describedherein. As examples, system memory 604 may store a virtual world andassociated functions and operations to be completed within the virtualworld. The operating system 605, for example, may be suitable forcontrolling the operation of the computing device 600.

Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced inconjunction with a graphics library, other operating systems, or anyother application program and is not limited to any particularapplication or system. This basic configuration is illustrated in FIG. 6by those components within a dashed line 608. The computing device 600may have additional features or functionality. For example, thecomputing device 600 may also include additional data storage devices(removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks,optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 6by a removable storage device 609 and a non-removable storage device610.

As stated above, a number of program modules and data files may bestored in the system memory 604. While executing on the processing unit602, the program modules 606 (e.g., application 620) may performprocesses including, but not limited to, the aspects, as describedherein. Other program modules that may be used in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure may include a virtual object providingapplication 624, 3D processing and virtual reality and/or semi-virtualreality applications 626, a characteristic detector 628, electronic mailand contacts applications, word processing applications, spreadsheetapplications, database applications, slide presentation applications,drawing or computer-aided application programs, etc.

Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in anelectrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged orintegrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizinga microprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements ormicroprocessors. For example, embodiments of the disclosure may bepracticed via a system-on-a-chip (SOC) where each or many of thecomponents illustrated in FIG. 6 may be integrated onto a singleintegrated circuit. Such an SOC device may include one or moreprocessing units, graphics units, communications units, systemvirtualization units and various application functionality all of whichare integrated (or “burned”) onto the chip substrate as a singleintegrated circuit. When operating via an SOC, the functionality,described herein, with respect to the capability of client to switchprotocols may be operated via application-specific logic integrated withother components of the computing device 600 on the single integratedcircuit (chip). Embodiments of the disclosure may also be practicedusing other technologies capable of performing logical operations suchas, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited tomechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition,embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced within a general purposecomputer or in any other circuits or systems.

The computing device 600 may also have one or more input device(s) 612such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a sound or voice input device, atouch or swipe input device, handheld gaming controller, etc. The outputdevice(s) 614 such as a display, speakers, a printer, etc. may also beincluded. The aforementioned devices are examples and others may beused. The computing device 600 may include one or more communicationconnections 616 allowing communications with other computing devices650. Examples of suitable communication connections 616 include, but arenot limited to, radio frequency (RF) transmitter, receiver, and/ortransceiver circuitry; universal serial bus (USB), parallel, and/orserial ports.

The term computer readable media as used herein may include computerstorage media. Computer storage media may include volatile andnonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information, such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, or program modules. The system memory604, the removable storage device 609, and the non-removable storagedevice 610 are all computer storage media examples (e.g., memorystorage). Computer storage media may include RAM, ROM, electricallyerasable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other opticalstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other article of manufacturewhich can be used to store information and which can be accessed by thecomputing device 600. Any such computer storage media may be part of thecomputing device 600. Computer storage media is not a carrier wave orother propagated or modulated data signal.

Communication media may be embodied by computer readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, andincludes any information delivery media. The term “modulated datasignal” may describe a signal that has one or more characteristics setor changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Byway of example, and not limitation, communication media may includewired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, andwireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, andother wireless media.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a mobile computing device 700, for example, amobile telephone, a smart phone, wearable computer (such as a smartwatch), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and the like, with whichembodiments of the disclosure may be practiced. In some aspects, theclient may be a mobile computing device. With reference to FIG. 7A, oneaspect of a mobile computing device 700 for implementing the aspects isillustrated. In a basic configuration, the mobile computing device 700is a handheld computer having both input elements and output elements.The mobile computing device 700 typically includes a display 705 and oneor more input buttons 710 that allow the user to enter information intothe mobile computing device 700. The display 705 of the mobile computingdevice 700 may also function as an input device (e.g., a touch screendisplay).

If included, an optional side input element 715 allows further userinput. The side input element 715 may be a rotary switch, a button, orany other type of manual input element. In alternative aspects, mobilecomputing device 700 may incorporate more or less input elements. Forexample, the display 705 may not be a touch screen in some embodiments.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the mobile computing device 700is a portable phone system, such as a cellular phone. The mobilecomputing device 700 may also include an optional keypad 735. Optionalkeypad 735 may be a physical keypad or a “soft” keypad generated on thetouch screen display.

In various embodiments, the output elements include the display 705 forshowing a graphical user interface (GUI), a visual indicator 720 (e.g.,a light emitting diode), and/or an audio transducer 725 (e.g., aspeaker). In some aspects, the mobile computing device 700 incorporatesa vibration transducer for providing the user with tactile feedback. Inyet another aspect, the mobile computing device 700 incorporates inputand/or output ports, such as an audio input (e.g., a microphone jack),an audio output (e.g., a headphone jack), and a video output (e.g., aHDMI port) for sending signals to or receiving signals from an externaldevice.

FIG. 7B is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of one aspectof a mobile computing device. That is, the mobile computing device 700can incorporate a system (e.g., an architecture) 702 to implement someaspects. In one embodiment, the system 702 is implemented as a “smartphone” capable of running one or more applications (e.g., browser,e-mail, calendaring, contact managers, messaging clients, games, andmedia clients/players). In some aspects, the system 702 is integrated asa computing device, such as an integrated personal digital assistant(PDA) and wireless phone.

One or more application programs 766 may be loaded into the memory 762and run on or in association with the operating system 764. Examples ofthe application programs include phone dialer programs, e-mail programs,personal information management (PIM) programs, word processingprograms, spreadsheet programs, Internet browser programs, messagingprograms, and so forth. The system 702 also includes a non-volatilestorage area 768 within the memory 762. The non-volatile storage area768 may be used to store persistent information that should not be lostif the system 702 is powered down. The application programs 766 may useand store information in the non-volatile storage area 768, such ase-mail or other messages used by an e-mail application, and the like. Asynchronization application (not shown) also resides on the system 702and is programmed to interact with a corresponding synchronizationapplication resident on a host computer to keep the information storedin the non-volatile storage area 768 synchronized with correspondinginformation stored at the host computer. As should be appreciated, otherapplications may be loaded into the memory 762 and run on the mobilecomputing device 700 described herein (e.g., search engine, extractormodule, relevancy ranking module, answer scoring module, etc.).

The system 702 has a power supply 770, which may be implemented as oneor more batteries. The power supply 770 might further include anexternal power source, such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradlethat supplements or recharges the batteries.

The system 702 may also include a radio interface layer 772 thatperforms the function of transmitting and receiving radio frequencycommunications. The radio interface layer 772 facilitates wirelessconnectivity between the system 702 and the “outside world,” via acommunications carrier or service provider. Transmissions to and fromthe radio interface layer 772 are conducted under control of theoperating system 764. In other words, communications received by theradio interface layer 772 may be disseminated to the applicationprograms 766 via the operating system 764, and vice versa.

The visual indicator 720 may be used to provide visual notifications,and/or an audio interface 774 may be used for producing audiblenotifications via the audio transducer 725. In the illustratedembodiment, the visual indicator 720 is a light emitting diode (LED) andthe audio transducer 725 is a speaker. These devices may be directlycoupled to the power supply 770 so that when activated, they remain onfor a duration dictated by the notification mechanism even though theprocessor 760 and other components might shut down for conservingbattery power. The LED may be programmed to remain on indefinitely untilthe user takes action to indicate the powered-on status of the device.The audio interface 774 is used to provide audible signals to andreceive audible signals from the user. For example, in addition to beingcoupled to the audio transducer 725, the audio interface 774 may also becoupled to a microphone to receive audible input, such as to facilitatea telephone conversation. In accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the microphone may also serve as an audio sensor tofacilitate control of notifications, as will be described below. Thesystem 702 may further include a video interface 776 that enables anoperation of an on-board camera 730 to record still images, videostream, and the like.

A mobile computing device 700 implementing the system 702 may haveadditional features or functionality. For example, the mobile computingdevice 700 may also include additional data storage devices (removableand/or non-removable) such as, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape.Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 7B by the non-volatilestorage area 768.

Data/information generated or captured by the mobile computing device700 and stored via the system 702 may be stored locally on the mobilecomputing device 700, as described above, or the data may be stored onany number of storage media that may be accessed by the device via theradio interface layer 772 or via a wired connection between the mobilecomputing device 700 and a separate computing device associated with themobile computing device 700, for example, a server computer in adistributed computing network, such as the Internet. As should beappreciated such data/information may be accessed via the mobilecomputing device 700 via the radio interface layer 772 or via adistributed computing network. Similarly, such data/information may bereadily transferred between computing devices for storage and useaccording to well-known data/information transfer and storage means,including electronic mail and collaborative data/information sharingsystems.

FIG. 8 illustrates one aspect of the architecture of a system forprocessing data received at a computing system from a remote source,such as a personal computer 804, tablet computing device 806, or mobilecomputing device 808, as described above. Content displayed at serverdevice 802 may be stored in different communication channels or otherstorage types. For example, various documents may be stored using adirectory service 822, a web portal 824, a mailbox service 826, avirtual reality store 828, or a social networking site 830.

A virtual object provider program 820, characteristic detector program822 and virtual/semi-virtual reality program 823 may be employed by aclient that communicates with server device 802, and/or the virtualobject provider program 821, virtual/semi-virtual reality program 825,and characteristic detector program 827 may be employed by server device802. The server device 802 may provide data to and from a clientcomputing device such as a personal computer 804, a tablet computingdevice 806 and/or a mobile computing device 808 (e.g., a smart phone)through a network 815. By way of example, the computer system describedabove may be embodied in a personal computer 804, a tablet computingdevice 806, a mobile computing device 808 (e.g., a smart phone), and/oran HMD 810. Any of these embodiments of the computing devices may obtaincontent from the store 816, in addition to receiving graphical datauseable to be either pre-processed at a graphic-originating system, orpost-processed at a receiving computing system.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary tablet computing device 900 that mayexecute one or more aspects disclosed herein in connection with avirtual reality device. In addition, the aspects and functionalitiesdescribed herein may operate over distributed systems (e.g., cloud-basedcomputing systems), where application functionality, memory, datastorage and retrieval and various processing functions may be operatedremotely from each other over a distributed computing network, such asthe Internet or an intranet. User interfaces and information of varioustypes may be displayed via on-board computing device displays or viaremote display units associated with one or more computing devices. Forexample, user interfaces and information of various types may bedisplayed and interacted with on a wall surface onto which userinterfaces and information of various types are projected. Interactionwith the multitude of computing systems with which embodiments of theinvention may be practiced include, keystroke entry, touch screen entry,voice or other audio entry, gesture entry where an associated computingdevice is equipped with detection (e.g., camera) functionality forcapturing and interpreting user gestures for controlling thefunctionality of the computing device, and the like.

As will be understood from the foregoing disclosure, one aspect of thetechnology relates to a method for providing a virtual object in avirtual or semi-virtual 3D environment. The method comprises:determining a characteristic associated with a user in the 3Denvironment with respect to a predetermined reference location in theenvironment; providing a first representation of a virtual object basedon the characteristic; determining a new characteristic associated withthe user in the 3D environment with respect a second predeterminedreference location in the environment; and based upon the newcharacteristic, providing a second representation of the virtual object.In an example, the new characteristic is a distance of the user from thepredetermined reference location. In another example, the providing thefirst representation comprises providing the virtual object in a firstpredetermined form corresponding to the distance. In a further example,the distance is a first distance, and the method further comprises:determining a second distance of the user from the predeterminedreference position, the second distance being greater than the firstdistance, wherein the second representation is provided in a secondpredetermined form based upon the second distance. In yet anotherexample, at least some features of the virtual object in the secondpredetermined form are larger in size than corresponding features of thevirtual object in the first predetermined form. In a further stillexample, the second predetermined form enables the user to do at leastone of perceive or interact with the virtual object in the secondpredetermined form, regardless of the second distance. In anotherexample, providing the virtual object in the second predetermined formcomprises: determining prioritized features included in the virtualobject; and including the prioritized features in an emphasized mannerin the virtual object in the second predetermined form. In a furtherexample, the new characteristic is a field of view of the user. In yetanother example, the new characteristic is at least one of a field ofview of the user and a line of sight of the user, and the method furthercomprises determining whether at least one of the virtual object or thepredetermined reference location intersects with the field of view orthe line of sight. In a further still example, the method furthercomprises: detecting whether at least one of the virtual object orpredetermined reference location intersects a field of view or line ofsight of the user, wherein the new characteristic is a distance of theuser from the predetermined reference location, and wherein providingthe first representation comprises providing the virtual object in afirst predetermined form corresponding to the distance. In anotherexample, the first predetermined form is one that attracts the user'sattention.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a system comprising: atleast one computer processor; and a memory storing instructions that,when executed by the at least one computer processor, perform a set ofoperations comprising: determining a characteristic associated with auser in the 3D environment with respect to a predetermined referencelocation in the environment; providing a first representation of avirtual object based on the characteristic; determining a newcharacteristic associated with the user in the 3D environment withrespect a second predetermined reference location in the environment;and based upon the new characteristic, providing a second representationof the virtual object. In an example, the system further comprises ahead mounted display (HMD), wherein the at least one computer processoris operatively connected to the HMD. In another example, the providingthe first representation comprises presenting the virtual object on adisplay of the HMD. In a further example, the characteristic is adistance from the predetermined referenced location, and whereinproviding the first representation comprises providing the virtualobject in a first predetermined form corresponding to the distance. Inyet another example, the distance is a first distance, and the set ofoperations further comprises: determining a second distance of the userfrom the predetermined reference position, the second distance beinggreater than the first distance, wherein the second representation isprovided in a second predetermined form based upon the second distance.In a further still example, providing the virtual object in the secondpredetermined form comprises: determining prioritized featuresassociated with the virtual object; and displaying the prioritizedfeatures in an emphasized manner in the virtual object in the secondpredetermined form. In another example, the virtual or semi-virtualenvironment is one of a virtual reality environment, an augmentedreality environment, and a mixed reality environment. In a furtherexample, the user is one of a virtual user and a non-virtual user.

In a further aspect, the technology relates to a computer storage mediumencoding computer executable instructions that, when executed by atleast one processor, performs a method comprising: determining a firstdistance between a user in the 3D environment with respect to apredetermined reference location in the environment; providing a firstrepresentation of a virtual object based on the first distance, whereinthe first representation comprises a first set of user interfacecomponents, wherein at least one component of set of user interfacecomponents is sized based at least upon the first distance; determininga second distance between the user in the 3D environment; and providinga second representation of the virtual object based on the seconddistance, wherein the second representation comprises a second set ofuser interface components, the second set comprising at least one newcomponent that is not included in the first set.

Aspects of the present disclosure, for example, are described above withreference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods,systems, and computer program products according to aspects of thedisclosure. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality/acts involved.

The description and illustration of one or more aspects provided in thisapplication are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of thedisclosure as claimed in any way. The aspects, examples, and detailsprovided in this application are considered sufficient to conveypossession and enable others to make and use the best mode of claimedtechnology. The claimed technology should not be construed as beinglimited to any aspect, example, or detail provided in this application.Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately,the various features (both structural and methodological) are intendedto be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with aparticular set of features. Having been provided with the descriptionand illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art mayenvision variations, modifications, and alternate aspects falling withinthe spirit of the broader aspects of the general inventive conceptembodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scopeof the claimed disclosure.

1. A method for providing a virtual object in a virtual or semi-virtual3D environment, comprising: determining a characteristic associated witha user in the 3D environment with respect to a predetermined referencelocation in the environment; providing a first representation of avirtual object based on the characteristic; determining a newcharacteristic associated with the user in the 3D environment withrespect a second predetermined reference location in the environment;and based upon the new characteristic, providing a second representationof the virtual object.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein thenew characteristic is a distance of the user from the predeterminedreference location.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing thefirst representation comprises providing the virtual object in a firstpredetermined form corresponding to the distance.
 4. The method of claim3, wherein the distance is a first distance, and further comprising:determining a second distance of the user from the predeterminedreference position, the second distance being greater than the firstdistance, wherein the second representation is provided in a secondpredetermined form based upon the second distance.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein at least some features of the virtual object in thesecond predetermined form are larger in size than corresponding featuresof the virtual object in the first predetermined form.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the second predetermined form enables the user to do atleast one of perceive or interact with the virtual object in the secondpredetermined form, regardless of the second distance.
 7. The method ofclaim 4, wherein providing the virtual object in the secondpredetermined form comprises: determining prioritized features includedin the virtual object; and including the prioritized features in anemphasized manner in the virtual object in the second predeterminedform.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the new characteristic is afield of view of the user.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the newcharacteristic is at least one of a field of view of the user and a lineof sight of the user, and further comprising determining whether atleast one of the virtual object or the predetermined reference locationintersects with the field of view or the line of sight.
 10. The methodof claim 9, further comprising: detecting whether at least one of thevirtual object or predetermined reference location intersects a field ofview or line of sight of the user, wherein the new characteristic is adistance of the user from the predetermined reference location, andwherein providing the first representation comprises providing thevirtual object in a first predetermined form corresponding to thedistance.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first predeterminedform is one that attracts the user's attention.
 12. A system comprising:at least one computer processor; and a memory storing instructions that,when executed by the at least one computer processor, perform a set ofoperations comprising: determining a characteristic associated with auser in the 3D environment with respect to a predetermined referencelocation in the environment; providing a first representation of avirtual object based on the characteristic; determining a newcharacteristic associated with the user in the 3D environment withrespect a second predetermined reference location in the environment;and based upon the new characteristic, providing a second representationof the virtual object.
 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: ahead mounted display (HMD), wherein the at least one computer processoris operatively connected to the HMD.
 14. The system of claim 13, whereinthe providing the first representation comprises presenting the virtualobject on a display of the HMD.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein thecharacteristic is a distance from the predetermined referenced location,and wherein providing the first representation comprises providing thevirtual object in a first predetermined form corresponding to thedistance.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the distance is a firstdistance, and wherein the set of operations further comprises:determining a second distance of the user from the predeterminedreference position, the second distance being greater than the firstdistance, wherein the second representation is provided in a secondpredetermined form based upon the second distance.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein providing the virtual object in the secondpredetermined form comprises: determining prioritized featuresassociated with the virtual object; and displaying the prioritizedfeatures in an emphasized manner in the virtual object in the secondpredetermined form.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the virtual orsemi-virtual environment is one of a virtual reality environment, anaugmented reality environment, and a mixed reality environment.
 19. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the user is one of a virtual user and anon-virtual user.
 20. A computer storage medium encoding computerexecutable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor,performs a method comprising: determining a first distance between auser in the 3D environment with respect to a predetermined referencelocation in the environment; providing a first representation of avirtual object based on the first distance, wherein the firstrepresentation comprises a first set of user interface components,wherein at least one component of set of user interface components issized based at least upon the first distance; determining a seconddistance between the user in the 3D environment; and providing a secondrepresentation of the virtual object based on the second distance,wherein the second representation comprises a second set of userinterface components, the second set comprising at least one newcomponent that is not included in the first set.